Workhorse Faces Layoff

[DriVer]

Workhorse Faces Layoff at Union City, IN, Plant

January 14, 2010 by RV Business

Union workers at Workhorse Custom Chassis Inc. in Union City, Ind., have been told to brace for layoffs, according to WQLK-FM, Richmond, Ind.

The station today (Jan. 14) reported that 87 workers are expected to be laid off by the end of next month. The company has nearly 180 unionized employees.

The job reduction warning comes as union members approved a four-year contract resulting in pay cuts of between $3 and $4 an hour. Workhorse launched its Union City operations in 1999. The company manufactures chassis for motorhomes and commercial step vans.

[TandW]

I feel your pain brothers. I gave back in 1982 to keep Budd's Hunting Park Phila Stamping plant open. A year or so later we had our first ROBOTIC assembly fixtures, lovingly named, "Laverne and Shirley" !!

[mfire1339]

What's wrong with this picture? You a worker sign a contract that either you get laid off or take a 20% pay cut? or both?

Mike

[TandW]

We agreed at that time because Budd agreed to give up their corporate jet. ?%*#@!&*"<>

[oemtech]

It's to bad that this has to happen... union or non-union. But, if the business does not support the workforce what other choice do they have.

[max49]

That's bad news, but if this is their first lay off, It's amazing that WH could hang on this long without layoffs. I'm surprised it's coming this late. I mean, the RV industry has to hurt at least as bad as any industry. Did'nt I hear auto industry sold less cars last year than any other year? I built some new complete subdivision roads , some of them a few years ago and they still are'nt building houses there yet.
I believe I heard there were 3.5 million cars sold in China last year and 1/2 million cars sold in the US. That sounds incredible, doesn't it? I even heard that China is showing interest in the RV industry.
If we can't afford cars or houses, we probably can't afford motorhomes.